Blog #83
By Kevin V. Hunt
Being a missionary has always been a focus of my own life – for me personally and for most of our family members. Many of the church positions that I have held through the years have revolved around missionary work (and usual99ly serving in Scouting in some way at the same time). I have been grateful for the many opportunities to serve the Lord in this way.
I served my “young mission” in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia (or should I say, “Alabam’, Flawda, and Jawja” … as the Suth’n’ers would say). My father had served a mission years before in the North Central States Mission. Three of my brothers and one sister served missions. Kyle served in New York City. Darcy served in Taiwan. Ray served in Japan and Laurie served in Michigan.
When I was “courting” Lou Dene – my future wife, I was thrilled to learn that she had served a mission to Melbourne, Australia. She even had two “stints” on the island of Tasmania. Four of her brothers, and three of her sisters all served missions. The one sister who did not serve a young mission has served for about 18 years as a senior missionary with her husband. Six of her siblings (counting us) have now served senior couple missions. And Lou’s folks served for two and a half years as a couple on a mission to Nauvoo.
As we raised our children we continually talked to them and encouraged them all to serve missions. This was a major focus within our family. It was not a matter of “IF you go on a mission” … it was always, “WHEN you go on your missions”. The children knew well that this was a major priority for all of them. Even the girls took the Missionary Prep classes – and later served. (Jenae took them over and over … as she realized that the boys were all there.)
For many years, my mother maintained a family missionary board. This board featured photos of all her children and grandchildren who served missions. And on the board was a map that showed the places all over the world where they each or had all served.
Our children grew up seeing this board and imagining when they might be added to the board – and where they might serve. I inherited the cherished missionary board after my mother went to heaven.
And incidentally, Mom and our step-day, Richard served four senior missions after they married in their older years.
Likewise, Lou and I created our own family missionary board a few years ago. We added seven of our children – along with the six husbands of our daughters after they got married. The board has become a great family treasure.
And it is so fun when the grandchildren come to visit. That is the first thing that they see in our hallway and almost always they stop to look at it. I know that they are pleased to see all their aunts and uncles and cousins on the board. It is obvious that they (like seeing their parents on Grandma’s board) and they also look forward to the day when they might serve their own mission. I have frequently heard the grandkids talking among themselves about who might be the next cousin to serve.
I mentioned that I have had many church callings that involved missionary work. I served my own mission. After I returned, I taught the Gospel Essentials Sunday school class for new and investigating members. When at Brigham Young University, I was in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency in my student ward. One of my assignments – which I greatly loved – was teaching a missionary training course for the young potential missionaries (dubbed “preemies” or pre-mission young men).
I loved this calling. I issued “mission calls” to each participant. I organized them into a district with companions. We studied and did other missionary activities. We had a great program that seemed very helpful to all the young folks in the class.
Twice I served as a guide at Temple Visitors’ Centers. I served as a teen missionary guide for two years – at the Mesa, Arizona Temple before my mission. My brother, Dean, and I served every Thursday night – with a Spanish brother. Soon after Lou Dena and I were married, we became guides together at the Ogden Temple Tabernacle. Brother Darwin Gunnell was one of our directors for the Mesa Guide Program and he and his wife later became the directors in Ogden.
When I was still very young, I was ordained to the office of Seventy in the Melchizedek Priesthood. (They don’t ordain such offices now … the office of Seventy is reserved for General Authorities.) In that role, I was the Ward Mission Leader and was one of the seven stake Presidents of Seventy in our Santa Barbara, California Stake. I also became the secretary for the stake mission presidency.
In almost every new ward when we moved I was soon called as the ward mission leader. I think that I have now served in that role for six times in various wards. I served as a stake missionary – alone – and later with my wife.
Above and below: 2026 Missionary Brunch with Kevin and Lou Hunt
For nearly 40 years, Lou and I have staged a General Conference “Brunch” for missionaries. We hold this event on the Saturday of Conference between the morning and afternoon sessions. When we started this tradition, we lived in a small community where we had only a single set of missionaries. Now in a bigger area, we have “graduated” up to feeding a full zone of young sisters and Elders.
My favorite chapters of The Book of Mormon are Alma Chapters 16 to 26. I love these chapters that talk about Ammon and his brethren who served for 14 years as missionaries to the foreign and wicked Lamanites. These chapters tell of the methods of Ammon and his brethren used in their very successful missionary labors. Each time I have read The Book of Mormon, I have looked for more “missionary methods”. I am now up to nearly 200 things that they did which made them the greatest of missionaries. (And I look forward to meeting Ammon, Aaron, and the others at a future day in Heaven.)
And if you are interested in the Ammon and brethren missionary traits, here is the link to my research:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:0567d7fe-416a-4dc2-bbbe-3e38008d10ec
I have noted that we sent seven of our children on missions. Jackie first went to Venezuela. Then Jenae served in England and Wales. Son K.C. served in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas. Rusty served in Brazil. Keith taught in the Spanish language in Oakland, California. Marinda served in South Dakota (and she met her man, Elder Roller there). And finally, Larissa served in Minnesota. Quite the family missionary legacy.
And after the children were all grown, Lou and I (aka “Sister Hunt”) had the great privilege and blessing to serve an old folks (“senior couple”) mission together.
We absolutely loved serving together in Nauvoo, Illinois as site guides at the multitude of historic homes. One main reason that we wanted to serve was to be examples to all of our grandchildren – with the hope that they too, might want to serve as missionaries as they came of age. (And of course we proudly added out own missionary photo onto the family missionary board for the grands to see each time they came to see us.)
So, with this background, perhaps you can see my commitment of and to missionary work. It just always seemed to be on my mind. It has been “me” forever. It really is who I am. Everywhere I go, I look for opportunities to share the Gospel with all around me. And in the process, I/we (The Lord and I) have had much success. I even baptized a clerk friend whom I met and to/with whom I made determined Missionary visits – each time that I went to Walmart. And there have been many others through the years. I have become kind of a “missionary legend” among my children. And my wife, Lou has been the best missionary companion and probably the greatest supporter in our combined missionary efforts. She has been a great blessing in my life and in the lives of others with whom we have strived to share the Gospel message with.
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Saturday, October 6, 2012 was a major milestone day for missionary work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On that day, the current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson announced that young men could then begin missionary service at age 18 and that young sisters could begin service at age 19. Wow!.
Here are my feelings of the moment as I recorded them that day in my journal after President Monson’s announcement:
“President Thomas S. Monson, our Prophet and the President of our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the first speaker. He announced a new revelation which electrified the gathered congregation – and we could feel it radiating from members of the church everywhere. He announced that after careful study, the Church will now allow young men to go on missions at age 18 (rather than the current age 19). He then announced also that young ladies will now be able to serve when age 19 (instead of the current 21). Wow! This was so wonderful. Words cannot describe the wonderful news. This will have great and wonderful repercussions (in a variety of ways). It will greatly increase the number of missionaries – and the number of Sister missionaries will likely sky-rocket.”
For many years prior to this time, the starting minimum age had been age 19 for young men. In this same revelation, Young Ladies could then begin service at age 19 (whereas it had previously been age 21). With this age change, it became obvious that parents needed to assume a much greater role in the early preparation of their children to serve missions.
Having sent out many children as missionaries, and having served many years in various missionary roles, this subject of missionary work and preparation to serve often presented itself in my mind, but no action was taken by me at that time.
Then on March 6, 2013, the subject took on a front-burner role with experiences that I had that day. On that date, I recorded in my journal some things that happened just a few months after President Monson announced the new missionary age. The entry reads:
MARCH 6TH – WEDNESDAY
“My morning as a school bus driver [in Mesa, Arizona] was rather routine. I went walking on Date Street, read my Book of Mormon and enjoyed having no kids to drive for one school. I had a late start for the junior high school so was a half hour later than normal getting back to the bus barn. I clocked out for a big 45 minutes.
“I decided to walk over to the Deseret Book store – located just over a half mile away. I had wanted to buy some “future missionary” badges for the children of our daughter, Kaylea and husband, J.D. – since they had just bought mission-looking suits for their five boys.
[As I walked into the store to make the purchase, I had no idea of how this little visit to Deseret Book would impact my life in the future. That impact was not evident but came to light later through subsequent events.]
“As I looked for the badges, I could not see them immediately. But on another shelf, I saw some badges which said, “Missionary in Training”. As I read the badges, my mind was instantly inspired to send a “call to serve letter” to the kids along with the badges. And right behind that thought came a literal flood of inspiration for a much bigger program entitled: “Missionary in Training”. My mind was enlightened and I became very excited with the thoughts that came. And for the rest of the afternoon I was flooded with more inspiration. This proved to be a really cool experience with the Spirit. Wow! [Then I began writing, writing as fast as I could and didn’t stop writing for six months. The information literally flew through my pen to the paper.]
“And as this program and details of it came to me, I realized that it was much bigger than I am. I realized that God was going to give me something special and that I had a work to do for Him and was grateful that I was found worthy of it.” [Leaving the journal …]
In that moment, I made a few notes on some of my famous 3×5” cards that I always carry in my pocket – to record some skeleton (header) thoughts to jar my memory later.
I later reflected back on that moment in Deseret Book. It was super powerful. In my reflections, I wrote: “As I walked to the store, I had one of the greatest spiritual experiences of my life. The Holy Ghost came strongly into my mind. It is kind of hard to explain, but I felt as if my head and brain was literally opened up and a missionary training program for use by families seemed to enter with full force into my mind. As I made the short walk, a full and very detailed “Missionary in Training” program came into my mind. It was not just a few ideas of inspiration. It was EVERY detail of the FULL program.”
The words of Sister Julie B. Beck, former President of the Relief Society kept coming back to me and they energized me further. She invited mothers everywhere to prepare their children to serve missions. She said, “Think of the powerof our future missionary force if mothers considered their homes as a pre-missionary training center (MTC). Then the doctrines of the gospel taught in the MTC would be a review and not a revelation. That is influence; that is power.” (“Mothers who Know”, Ensign, November 2007.)
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I was a writer, and I had time to write … I had a bit of experience with and knowledge of missionary work … and I had learned how to let the Holy Ghost guide me in my writing – so I wrote “on His errand”. It was a great combination and possible opportunity. I rejoiced in the possibilities and rejoiced that I had been found worthy enough to receive such a great program through the Holy Ghost.
For the next six months, I could not write fast enough. I wrote at every spare moment – again between AM and PM routes, at schools as I waited for the next group, every night at home, and every spare minute in between. My pen literally wrote at top speed as I wrote out the details that had already come to me. It was such an amazing and wonderful experience as I became a conduit of the Holy Ghost. I expressed gratitude for this great blessing and opportunity. Wow!
“MISSIONARY IN TRAINING …” The name was a natural for the program and its mission. And it was so exciting to have been worthy of being the instrument through which the program came.
The Missionary in Training Program evolved into seven full program notebooks. Here is a summary of the various books:
BOOK SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS
A “PROGRAM BASICS” – This book introduces the “Home and Family Missionary Training Center” concept. It includes the program “Vision” and objectives, questions and answers. This book tells how to get started in the program through a Family Missionary Planning Conference and has a suggested 3-month lesson and activity calendar.
B MISSIONARY STUDY SESSIONS” – This book contains 65 weekly study sessions (AKA “Family Home Evening”). These study sessions all are based upon principles and lessons contained in “Preach My Gospel”. Each study session of the package includes a planning sheet and agenda for the family and includes songs, scriptures to be studied, assignments for children, and key principles to be taught.
C “MISSIONARY PREPARATION ACTIVITIES” – This book contains Saturday (or week-night) activity “packages” to help youth prepare for missionary service. There are activities on fitness and exercising, food, missionary clothing, cultural events, laundry and cleaning, bike safety, mission financing, grooming and personal management, missionary manners, music, scripture chases and much more. Each activity package contains many different activities which the family can enjoy together anytime!
D “SPECIAL MISSIONARY CONFERENCES” – This book contains agenda and planning packages for very special family conferences (similar to real missionary zone conferences).
Some conference options include “Jesus the Christ” (Family Christmas Conference), The Restoration, Articles of Faith, First Principles and Ordinances, Knowing and Using the Scriptures, General Conference, and many more. You will love doing these with your family and friends.
E “AMMONITE TRAINING” – This book is designed for families who have youth (boys and girls) who serve as trainers in the weekly family study sessions (for their siblings) and who assist parents in planning missionary activities and conferences. It contains training agendas and support materials. Also contained in the book is material for an “Ammonite Retreat” for your teens to connect with themselves and their God.
F “MIT FORMS AND CERTIFICATES” – This book contains print-ready masters of all forms and certificates referenced in all the other MIT program books. These can be printed from your own home scanner and printer. Digital copies of these same forms and certificates can also be obtained as a package through the missionintraining.com website for computer personalization as desired.
G “THE CAMP OF AMMON” – This program book is not for general use by families. It is designed as a syllabus for a week- long Missionary Training Camp for teens (both boys and girls). It is an intense, exciting and wonderful program that all youth will want to participate in. The Camp of Ammon takes a full year or more of the MIT family programs and compresses it into a five-day training camp conference as youth eat, sleep and dress as missionaries. To learn more about this program, see the campofammon.com website.
As I completed the notebooks, I wanted to create appropriate covers – with photos – for each of the books. I looked within my own family for possible “models” to pose for the cover photos. Our daughter Kaylea and her husband, J.D. were naturals for the role. I remembered the recent photo Kaylea had sent of the children all in missionary attire. Kaylea provided me with several photographs to help create the look I wanted for each book.
Above: This is one of my all-time favorite phohtos. This is JD and Kaylea Stoddard with their future missionary children Left to Right: Dallin, Bryson, Joseph, Jett, Lucy, and Brodey. (Photo 2013 by Kaylea Stoddard)
Well, I ultimately finished the project and all of the books. It was amazing to me as I looked at the finished product. It truly was fabulous … and I knew and acknowledged that I was not the source of it. I knew that it came to me totally through the Holy Ghost.
But then a dilemma … what was I to do with it? It was like so many of my projects … I feel and did then feel the intensity of the Holy Ghost inspiration in my writing (after asking for His divine assistance all along the way) Then I get the writing project completed and I can’t figure out what I am supposed to do with it. This has happened on so many other such projects as I am left trying to figure out why I had been given the material – and then to have no knowledge of how to implement it or to get it out to the world. I sent the books to Deseret Book – hoping that they might want to publish it – but, it was not their idea so they gave the books no consideration.
I printed the books and presented them to six select families – a couple of my children – and others. I hoped that they might utilize the program within their families. We had grand kick-off events, issued calls to become “missionaries in training”, but then left to themselves, they didn’t seem to make it happen. Sad! I thought that it had so much potential.
And that is where the Missionary in Training project currently sits.
For more information, see the website at missionaryintraining.com (or contact me direct).
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That brings us back or up to the current moment in time.. Many years have passed since the above incidents. Kids have grown up and became of missionary age – all too fast – and in spite of us adults.
It was an exciting moment when our first grandchild, Bryson, chose a mission over football and submitted his missionary application material. And then it was a wonderful day when he shared with us, his family, and a multitude of friends – of his call to serve in Argentina. We loved hearing of his adventures through his letters and photos.
Later, and within a month of each other, two granddaughters were called to serve. Katelyn was called to serve in the Colorado – Denver North Mission and Abby was called to serve in the Texas-Dallas East Mission. Later Joseph was called to serve in Yakima, Washington. It was so great having the four cousins – and our grandchildren – all serving at the same time. We loved reading their letters together as we served our own mission.
Bryson got home from Argentina and went to a mission reunion. He there met Annie. They had both served in the same mission but really only saw each other from a distance a couple of times. Annie – whose maiden name was Hunt – naturally fit well into our own Hunt family. (We later learned that her father and I are third cousins … so that puts Bryson and Annie as fourth cousins once removed (when Bryson’s mom is added to the family line). Joseph and Katelyn have returned home already and Abby will be home (at this writing) in a couple of weeks.
Above: The Stoddard family in January 2026. Bryson had returned from Argentina, married Annie – who also served in Argentina. Joseph just returned from his mission and all of the other Stoddard children had received their mission calls. All missionaries shown with their mission flags. Compare to the 2013 photo.
And now we have a new wave of grandkids ready to serve. In January we made a trek to Utah. It was so exciting as we attended a sacrament meeting wherein Joseph reported his mission and his brother, Jett had his mission farewell. Jett was called to serve in our neighboring Phoenix, Arizona mission. And soon their oldest brother, Dallin was called (again) to serve in Everett, Washington.
Above: Current and future Hunt family missionary cousins
And once again, the Church changed the mission age for young women – to age 18. Our granddaughter, Lucy was super charged with that announcement. She had planned to go on a mission – but her 19th birthday was not to be until June. Then with the new announcement, she went into high gear. Within a week, she had completed all of her medical, dental, and other requirements. And within that week, she had her mission interviews and had her application on its way to the Prophet. She became one of the youngest sister missionaries ever to be called. She was called to serve in the London, England mission.
Reaching regular missionary age, their youngest brother, Brodey also submitted his mission papers. We were all excited when he was called to the Syracuse, New York mission – speaking Spanish. Wow!
I published this hymn/poem – that I composed -once before (as I blogged about the “Magnificent MTC (Mission Training Center) but it seems appropriate to repeat again here. That is what we are trying to do as a family:
TO THE NATIONS!
To the Nations, trumpets sounding,
Marching onward, flags unfurled.
Gospel message is resounding,
In name of Christ, to all the world.
From the mountains comes our Ensign,
Unto the nations, near and far.
It is the gold that will refine,
The truth restored now goes afar.
We are the messengers sent forth,
Our hearts are full, our steps are high,
We go with joy to all the earth,
A royal army, we know why.
We have been saved for latter days,
And we have heard our prophet’s call.
In Priesthood power, righteous ways,
We pledge to serve, to give our all.
Chorus:
Spirits high and with rejoicing,
Sons and daughters of our Lord.
To the nations, we are marching,
Missionaries to all the world.
Like the missionary Ammon,
With faith we do go forth to preach.
With testimonies strong like Ammon,
And sword of truth, we’ll go to teach.
On to serve, we all march forward,
In the Spirit, with all our might.
With love and courage, we go onward,
To share with all, the Gospel Light.
Redemption of all men, our cause,
And Jesus’ plan for our salvation.
We study, fast and pray because
We want to go to ev’ry nation.
We seek the Spirit to be with us,
As we do testify of truth.
With the Spirit as the witness,
We will go forth with zeal of youth.
Chorus Repeats
Spirits high and with rejoicing,
Sons and daughters of our Lord.
To the nations, we are marching,
Missionaries to all the world.
We will be strong as we march on,
Give glory to our God and King.
We will not rest ‘til all is done,
And in each ear, the gospel rings.
And yes, as Ammon we will greet,
Holding high the Gospel banner.
Our love we’ll show to all we meet,
Inviting, “Rally round the standard!”
In everything we’ll all be true,
With valiant courage we will go
With heart and soul in all we do,
Obedient as we’ve come to know.
For now we come as youth prepared,
Our mission service time is here.
We’re grateful for the chance to share,
Ambassadors of family dear.
Chorus Repeats
Spirits high and with rejoicing,
Sons and daughters of our Lord.
To the nations, we are marching,
Missionaries to all the world.
Written and Copyrighted by Kevin V. Hunt
Recently the Stoddard family was highlighted in the “Church News” – a publication of Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.. Reporter Mary Richards, learned of the family and their unique situation of having four missionaries serving simultaneously. She wrote a very nice article …
Here is a link to Mary’s great article:
And we are looking forward to two more grandsons submitting papers and receiving calls soon after they graduate from high school in May. These are exciting times for family missionary service.
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt Family Missionary Board 2026
And meanwhile, our family missionary board continues to get even more crowded. It is a bit of a challenge to find space for everyone but that it a great challenge to have.
Missionary in Training 